Are You Eligible for a Spouse Visa in Australia?
Moving to Australia on a spouse visa, meaning that you are in a relationship with someone in Australia, is quite possible and not as difficult as you might assume. If you need assistance in filling out the right forms and ensuring they're filed properly, and especially if English is not your first language and you need a translator to help you get through those forms, you would do well to work with a migration agent. He or she can walk you through the process and ensure everything is done properly. However, note a few factors about getting a spouse visa in Australia so you can know before you call such an agent if you're eligible for this type of visa.
Residency
Obviously you don't need to be a permanent resident of Australia to apply, or otherwise you wouldn't need a visa in the first place. However, you do need to be in Australia when you apply for a spouse visa. You also need a valid passport before you apply, so ensure you have this with you and that it's current and updated before applying.
Partner's citizenship
Your partner needs to be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia for you to be eligible for a spouse visa. Your partner can also be an eligible citizen of New Zealand. Note, too, that "partner" means someone with whom you're married to or are in a long-term, committed relationship with; you don't need to be legally married to that person to apply for a spouse visa. You may need to show proof of that relationship, such as shared bank accounts or a shared residential address in your home country, but don't just assume that "spouse" means a legal spouse with a marriage certificate.
Health requirements
Typically everyone applying for a visa to Australia must meet certain health requirements. This means you must be free of any diseases or conditions that the immigration board deem a threat to public health, including tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis, polio, and Ebola. You need to have health exams and certificates in place before you apply for your spouse visa. If you're not sure if your health conditions would affect your application for a spouse visa, discuss your concerns with a migration agent and they can note if there are exceptions available for your condition and also note how long your test results and certificates are good for when you do apply.
Click here for more info on spouse visas.